Adding percussion to your drum kit is one of the most effective and underrated ways to expand your sound. Whether you want to add a shimmer to your hi-hat, a crack to your backbeat, a cowbell accent, or a shaker texture, the right percussion accessory can transform your playing and open up new creative possibilities - without requiring any additional technique beyond what you already have.
This guide covers the main categories of kit-mounted percussion, how to use each one effectively, and the best Meinl products available at Into Music Store in Horncastle, Lincolnshire.
1. Hi-Hat Tambourines - Add Shimmer to Every Beat
A hi-hat tambourine sits on top of your hi-hat cymbals and adds a jingle shimmer to every stroke - one of the most popular and immediately effective percussion additions to any drum kit. The effect is subtle but transformative: your hi-hat gains a warm, organic shimmer that works particularly well in pop, soul, gospel, and funk contexts.
Meinl make several hi-hat tambourine options to suit different preferences:
- Meinl Headliner Hi-Hat Single Row Tambourine - a clean, subtle shimmer. The single row of jingles produces a lighter, more delicate effect - ideal for players who want to add texture without overwhelming the cymbal sound.
- Meinl Headliner Hi-Hat Dual Row Tambourine - a fuller, richer shimmer. The double row of jingles produces a more pronounced effect - better for louder playing environments or drummers who want a more noticeable addition.
- Meinl Benny Greb Sand Hi-Hat Tambourine - a signature model from one of the most innovative drummers working today. Uses sand rather than jingles for a softer, drier, more subtle texture - perfect for jazz, fusion, and lower-volume playing.
How to use it: Simply place the tambourine on top of your hi-hat cymbals. No mounting required. Start with a single row if you're new to hi-hat tambourines - you can always upgrade to a double row if you want more presence.
2. Backbeat Tambourines - Add Crack to Your Snare
A backbeat tambourine mounts to your snare drum and adds a jingle accent to every snare hit - a classic sound used in gospel, soul, pop, and country music. The effect is immediate and dramatic: your snare gains a bright, cutting jingle that cuts through a mix with ease.
- Meinl Backbeat Tambourine (13-14") - mounts directly to the rim of a 13" or 14" snare drum. A simple, effective, and immediately impactful addition to any kit.
- Meinl BBP14 Backbeat Professional 14" Tambourine - the professional version with a higher-quality jingle specification for a richer, more complex sound.
How to use it: Clip the tambourine to the rim of your snare drum. The jingles face upward and activate on every snare hit. Experiment with positioning - moving the tambourine around the rim changes the intensity of the effect.
3. Mountable Tambourines - Add Jingle Anywhere
Mountable tambourines attach to a cymbal stand or clamp and can be positioned anywhere in your setup - above a cymbal, next to a tom, or anywhere you can reach with a stick or hand. They give you a jingle accent on demand rather than on every hit.
- Meinl Headliner Mountable Tambourine - a versatile, affordable mountable tambourine that works with standard cymbal stand threads.
- Meinl Headliner Double Row Mountable Tambourine - a fuller sound with double-row stainless steel jingles.
4. Foot Tambourines - Add Jingle to Your Bass Drum
A foot tambourine straps to your foot or ankle and adds a jingle accent to every bass drum stroke - a technique popularised by singer-songwriters and solo performers but increasingly used by kit drummers who want to add texture to their bass drum sound.
- Meinl Foot Tambourine - straps to your foot for a jingle accent on every bass drum hit.
- Meinl Cajon Foot Tambourine - designed for cajon players but equally effective for kit drummers. Stainless steel jingles for a bright, cutting sound.
- Meinl Compact Cajon Foot Tambourine - a smaller, more compact version for drummers who want a subtler effect.
5. Cowbells - The Classic Kit Addition
The cowbell is one of the most iconic percussion additions to a drum kit - used in everything from classic rock to salsa, funk, and pop. Mounted to the bass drum hoop or a cymbal stand, a cowbell gives you a bright, cutting metallic accent that cuts through any mix.
- Meinl Headliner 5" Black Cowbell - a compact, versatile cowbell suited to most playing styles. The 5" size produces a higher-pitched, cutting tone.
- Meinl Headliner 8" Black Cowbell - a larger cowbell with a deeper, more powerful tone. Better suited to rock, metal, and Latin playing where a more authoritative cowbell sound is needed.
- Meinl Hand Hammered Steel Cowbell 6¼" - a premium hand-hammered option with a more complex, musical tone. Available in gold and silver finishes.
For mounting, the Meinl Standard Cowbell Bass Drum Holder and Chrome Bass Drum Holder mount directly to your bass drum hoop - the most common and practical cowbell mounting position.
6. Ching Rings - Add Sizzle to Any Cymbal
A ching ring sits on top of any cymbal and adds a sizzle or jingle effect to every stroke - similar in concept to a hi-hat tambourine but usable on any cymbal in your setup. Particularly effective on ride cymbals, where the ching ring adds a warm, organic sizzle that transforms the character of the cymbal.
- Meinl Ching Ring 6" - the standard ching ring with a bright, cutting jingle effect.
- Meinl Soft Ching Ring 6" - a softer, warmer jingle effect. Better suited to jazz, fusion, and lower-volume playing where a subtler sizzle is preferred.
- Meinl Dry Ching Ring 6" - a dry, short-sustain effect for a more controlled, less washy character.
7. Shakers - Add Texture Without Extra Limbs
Shakers can be mounted to a stand or held in the hand to add a continuous rhythmic texture to your playing. The Meinl Luis Conte Live Shaker is designed specifically for live performance - a professional-grade shaker with a consistent, musical sound that works in any genre. The Luis Conte Stadium Shaker is the louder, more projecting version for larger venues. For a complete starter pack, the Meinl Perc Pack includes a Luis Conte shaker and classic hardwood claves in one bundle.
8. Jam Blocks - A Bright, Cutting Accent
A jam block is a synthetic wood block that produces a bright, cutting, high-pitched accent - similar to a woodblock but louder and more durable. The Meinl High Pitch Jam Block mounts to a cymbal stand and gives you a sharp, cutting accent that cuts through any mix - popular in Latin, funk, and pop contexts.
9. Mounting Solutions - Keep Your Setup Clean
The key to adding percussion to your kit without creating a cluttered, unstable setup is good mounting. Meinl offer several solutions:
- Meinl Multi Clamp and Multi Clamp One Mount - attach to any cymbal stand to give you an additional mounting point for percussion instruments.
- Meinl Percussion Table - a flat surface that mounts to a cymbal stand, giving you a stable platform for shakers, claves, and other hand percussion within easy reach.
- Meinl Mountable Percussion Tray - a smaller tray version for a more compact setup.
Where to Start - Our Recommendations
If you're new to adding percussion to your kit, here's a simple starting point:
- Immediate impact, no mounting needed: Hi-Hat Tambourine - place it on your hi-hat and you're done.
- Classic snare sound: Backbeat Tambourine - clips to your snare rim in seconds.
- Ride cymbal transformation: Meinl Soft Ching Ring - place it on your ride for an instant sizzle effect.
- Classic rock accent: Meinl 5" Cowbell with a Bass Drum Holder.
Shop Meinl Percussion at Into Music Store
Into Music Store stocks one of the most comprehensive ranges of Meinl percussion available from a UK independent drum shop - both online and in our showroom in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. Whether you're looking for a simple hi-hat tambourine or a complete percussion setup, our team of experienced drummers are on hand to help you find the right products for your kit and playing style. UK next day delivery is available on all Meinl percussion.